Biodiversity Project Officer OCC512331

Work location: Hybrid Working with an office base at County Hall, Oxford

Hours per week: 37 – we are open to discussions about flexible working

Contract type: initial 6-month contract

Closing date: Sunday 1st May 2022

Interview date: w/c 9th May 2022

Are you an ecologist that enjoys working on projects that use or create ecological data? Confident using your GIS skills to solve spatial problems? Enjoy communicating your findings through both well written reports and verbal presentations? Want to play an important role in using ecological data about Berkshire and Oxfordshire’s habitats and species to help our communities make more informed decisions about the natural environment? Would you like to be a Biodiversity Projects Officer at TVERC?

About us

TVERC collects, analyses and shares biodiversity and geodiversity information in Berkshire and Oxfordshire. This helps people make sound decisions about how to develop and manage land sustainably, where to direct wildlife conservation work and for scientific education and research. See www.tverc.org.

About the role

We undertake project work for a range of clients including Local Planning Authorities, Parish Councils, Conservation Organisations, Government Agencies, Businesses, Charities and Landowners.

TVERC’s project pipeline is growing including supporting the development of the Nature Recovery Strategy for Berkshire and Oxfordshire, supporting effective Biodiversity Gain for developments, and monitoring the status of biodiversity in the region.

The role of Biodiversity Projects Officer is quite varied and what you work on will depend on the projects that we have running at the time. As a Local Environmental Records Centre, we have many projects both for clients and for ourselves that analyse, update and enhance the Biodiversity data we hold, transforming it into valuable information that is used to ensure our clients properly consider the impacts on biodiversity in their decision making.

You will use your skills and expertise to complete the project brief to the appropriate standard, timescale and cost. The project work can include planning, data analysis, report writing and ecological surveys within our service area.

We are a small and diverse team, and you will have the opportunity to regularly collaborate with the other members.

About you

You will be an ecologist that enjoys working with data and has some experience of habitat and botanical surveys in the UK.

You will be a proficient user of Geographic Information Systems (ArcMap) to digitise, analyse and present geospatial ecological data. Ideally you will also have experience using R and SQL to wrangle, query and analyse ecological data.

You will have produced good quality project outputs such as reports, maps and datasets, and have ensured your findings have been understood by non-specialists.

You must enjoy collaborating as part of a small team but be confident to work independently. Comfortable taking ownership of problems and being resourceful and creative in resolving them.

If you already have experience of using the UK Hab classification system or Biodiversity Net Gain assessments that would be a bonus as this is a growing area of projects for us.

Rewards and benefits

It really is true that every single job role here contributes to bettering the lives of the people in our county - we want to do this for our employees too. We are proud of our strong flexible working culture, including the opportunity for flexibility on working hours and the use of technology to support agile working. We offer some of the best learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.

We have a generous holiday allowance which rises as you remain in employment with us up to 32 days, as well as giving you the option to buy additional holiday. You will also have access to a Local Government Pension Scheme with employer contributions of up to 19.9% of your salary; a range of local and national retail discounts; and a host of enhanced family friendly policies including carers leave and paid time off for volunteering.

Would you like to know more?

Please click here to view the Job Description and Selection Criteria.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Steve Wilkes (Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre Director) on Steve.Wilkes@Oxfordshire.gov.uk.

Application Procedure

To apply, please complete an online application form by clicking Apply Now. This includes a section asking you to explain how you meet the selection criteria, as specified in the job posting. You may attach a cover letter and/or CV to your application form, however it is not mandatory.

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If you experience any technical difficulties whilst completing the application form, please contact the Recruitment Team using Recruitment Application Enquiry Form.

Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support and safe spaces for staff.

Our commitment to safeguarding

Our Organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

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